When it comes to choosing an off-road-ready camper trailer, there’s a hell of a lot of people who will tell you that hard floor campers are where you should be putting your money. It’s fairly easy to see why too – hard floors have evolved massively in recent years. Where they used to be almost exclusively variations of a simple rear-fold design, there are now more alternatives, options, accessory levels and price points than you can poke a UHF aerial at. And they remain relatively lightweight, easy to use and ridiculously practical.
So, if you’re wading through the seemingly endless options, don’t fret. We’re here to get you pointed in the right direction with five hard floor campers that absolutely rock. We’re not saying these are the only good trailers on the market, far from it, but they’re a solid cross-section of what’s on offer, from styles to inclusions, and what you can expect to pay.
Oh, and for the people who still maintain, “You can’t take a camper trailer anywhere good” or “It’s not real camping”, get your hand off it, Darryl. We’ve towed campers up and down the hardest tracks in the country without issue, and while we will always love the thrill of camping in the cold and wet with nothing but some 8oz canvas between us and a torrential downpour, the comfort of having somewhere out of the elements, an onboard kitchen and a place for the fridge remains undefeated. Time to become a real boy, Pinocchio, and check out these five top hard floor campers that’ll change your life.
Rear-fold hard floor campers
Cub Brumby
From $37,990
One of the original Australian hard-floor manufacturers, Cub Campers have been synonymous with rear-folds since the 60s, and it’s fair to say they’ve got the design, manufacture and finish details down to a fine art.
They’re built tough too, so if you’re the type of person who doesn’t mind some bulldust mixed in with their salad or think bonnet-deep water crossings are a must to get anywhere worthwhile, having a Cub in tow is right up your hardcore track.
With coils and independent trailing arms, 265/65R17 AT tyres and plenty of beef in the frame rails, the Cub Brumby is pretty much the benchmark that all rear-folds are measured against. That’s not to say that there are other rear-folds that aren’t as good, cos there definitely are, but if you’re looking to kick off your hard-floor journey without spending a fortune and want something that’s solid and reliable right out of the box, the Cub factory is a great place to start.
Specs list:
- Sleeps: 2 adults
- Set–up Time (reported): Approx. 3min
- Pack Down Time (reported): Approx. 5-7min
- Dimensions closed (mm): 4360 (L) x 1700 (W)
- ATM: 1650kg
- Tare: 926kg
- Payload: 724kg
- Tow ball weight: 142kg
- Water: 80L
- 12V: 100Ah + 240V charger
Forward-fold hard floor campers
MDC Explorer
From $17,990
While MDC didn’t come up with the forward-fold concept, they were one of the first to really popularise the concept in the early twenty-teens, and as a super-comfortable camper with a host of inclusions and an entry-level price tag, there’s a lot to like about the Explorer.
The MDC Explorer features a lithium 12v system as standard, plus plenty of water, and the pull-out kitchen is straightforward and fuss-free. It’s also designed to be used off-road and has a lifetime structural warranty on the frame and drawbar, as well as MDC’s X-Track suspension with 4 shock absorbers – so beach driving and dirt tracks are able to be tackled without a worry.
And let’s not forget the king bed and dinette on the inside, as well as the fully enclosed annexe should the forecast be a bit on the moist side of things.
While it’s neither the quickest to set up nor the lightest out of all the hard floor campers on our list, you can’t argue that the value for money isn’t right up there. And given that you can fit a tinny on the removable side-mounted storage rack, the possibilities for adventure are on par with a night on the town with Rick James.
Specs list:
- Sleeps: 2 adults and up to 3 kids
- Set–up Time (reported): Approx. 4min
- Pack Down Time (reported): Approx. 5min
- Dimensions closed (mm): 5220 (L) x 2010 (W)
- ATM: 2000kg
- Tare: 1440kg
- Payload: 560kg
- Tow ball weight: 160kg
- Water: 80L
- 12V: 100Ah lithium + 200W solar + Projecta BMS and charger
Mars Space Air
From $36,990
Boasting the quickest set-up times in its class of hard floor campers, the Space Air from Mars Campers is as simple as pushing a couple of buttons and you’re done. The forward and rear folding roofs are operated by linear actuators, which are switched to a control panel. The tent area also has an inflatable pole structure so it pumps itself up in about 30 seconds (deflation takes roughly the same amount of time).
Inside are two double beds, and the 8-person dinette can also be converted into a third double bed. Even if you’re not comfy sharing your camper with two other couples, (unless you’re a swinger or perhaps in a cult, no judgement), it’s still pretty handy if you’ve got a teenager or two along for the trip.
It’s towards the upper end of the price range for forward folds, but the value is right up there. There’s about an acre of interior storage, a 20L drinks fridge and with the (also inflatable) annexe attached there’s enough room to have the entire campsite over for a key party… um, I mean for an evening drink.
In all seriousness, the button-operation and large interior make this an excellent choice for older folks who don’t want to be wrestling with poles in the rain and dark, or for people with disabilities. Even the stabiliser legs are operated via the switch panel, which is pretty trick!
Specs list:
- Sleeps: 6 adults
- Set–up Time (reported): Approx. 2mins
- Pack Down Time (reported): Approx. 2mins
- Dimensions closed (mm): 5800 (L) x 2200 (W)
- ATM: 2600kg
- Tare: 1950kg
- Payload: 650kg
- Tow ball weight: 180kg
- Water: 200L
- 12V: 200Ah + 21A charger
Side-fold hard floor campers
Ultimate GT
From $72,990
Fun fact: the iconic Ultimate Camper design was initially going to be a forward folding set-up but was changed to a side-fold so as to avoid fouling on the tow vehicle. And we’re glad it was, because these things are sweet, with a capital `swuh.
Set-up is super quick and easy, with the roof being electrically activated via a remote, and the tent setting up with a couple of spreader bars and u-poles. And once it’s up, it’s really a lot more like a caravan. You’ve got hot water, plenty of electrickery, an internal sink and kitchen and basically enough comfort to satisfy Arabian Royalty.
We’re talking a king bed, internal drawers, U-lounge, 130L fridge… all as standard, and the options list is extensive too.
Aussie-built with premium products; this is one of those hard floor campers that you wouldn’t hesitate to punt down the harder tracks on your Big Lap. Designed as an off-road capable camper from the get-go, the suspension and chassis are built to handle whatever you can chuck its way. The nosecone alone has 1340L of space (which is the same size as the studio apartment I had in uni). Wherever you look on the trailer, there’s just high-end accessories everywhere and a strong sense of quality all round.
If you’re looking for “ultimate” comfort while “roughing it,” you’ve found your trailer.
Specs list:
- Sleeps: 2 adults
- Set–up Time (reported): Approx. 3.5min
- Pack Down Time (reported): Approx. 4min
- Dimensions closed (mm): 4630 (L) x 2000 (W)
- ATM: 1600kg
- Tare: 975kg
- Payload: 625kg
- Tow ball weight: 70kg
- Water: 140L
- 12V: 240Ah lithium + Redarc BMS
Camprite TX6
From $59,900
Camprite has been around since the early 90s and has a strong reputation for simple yet effective campers for couples or young families. They’re built with top-shelf componentry and are able to be taken over just about any terrain this side of the lunar surface.
We really shouldn’t call them a side-fold, as both sides fold out, and the main bed slides out the front, but we didn’t have a ‘double-side-fold-slide-out’ category so here’s where it landed. With a total of 3 beds internally, a huge amount of available amp-hours and modern conveniences like hot water and a fully stainless kitchen, the Camprites are rare on the second-hand market because those who own them tend to hang onto them.
While there are more modern designs and simpler hard floor campers available, some folks (like us) still enjoy the rugged dependability of top-quality canvas and sliding a few poles into position. There’s very little to wear or break over time, and it’s common to see thirty-year-old Camprites out on the track still going strong. Which really says it all.
If you’re chasing a lightweight, yet roomy trailer that can accommodate the family on the remotest of trips, then the Camprites are strongly recommended for you to take a butcher’s at.
Specs list:
- Sleeps: 4 adults
- Set–up Time (reported): Approx. 5min
- Pack Down Time (reported): Approx. 5min
- Dimensions closed (mm): 4600 (L) x 1860 (W)
- ATM: 2000kg
- Tare: 1075kg
- Payload: 925kg
- Tow ball weight: 95kg
- Water: 95L
- 12V: 400Ah lithium + 40A Redarc BC-DC charger
Maybe you should check out the customer service reviews for the companies too before reviewing them